We’re betting that’s the same way the majority of Cole Nation is feeling today after Ron MacLean announced on Sunday that Mr. “Oh Baby” will be returning to Hockey Night in Canada next year, the first under the Rogers umbrella. It was official confirmation of a story that had been circulating for a few days, spawning a flood of support on social media.

The seemingly ageless Cole is 80 now and, yes, gets a name wrong now and then. But these playoffs have featured some of his best calls in recent memory, highlighted by the Blackhawks’ thrilling 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 of the Western Conference final on Friday.

Much like his buddy and respected colleague Vin Scully, who still calls Los Angeles Dodgers games at age 86, Cole continues to spit in the face of Father Time. His is the voice of the sport. Has been for a while now.

And, now, for another season.

Which is a good thing.

Like he says, there is no “quit” in Bob Cole.

COLE’S NOTES

How long has Cole been doing his thing? Consider that he was part of the radio broadcast of Paul Henderson’s famous goal in 1972 that gave Canada a 6-5 win over the Soviets in Game 8 of the Summit Series ... Wayne Gretzky once told a friend that Cole “is the Vin Scully of the East.” ... Cole’s impressive collection of hockey memorabilia at his St. John’s home ranges from one of the Great One’s first helmets from his Edmonton Oilers days, to a personally-autographed poster of No. 99 and Gordie Howe standing together, complete with signatures from both ... There is even a framed letter written by Gretzky congratulating Cole on his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1996 ... In his den, there are autographed photos of Cole standing with the likes of Jean Beliveau, Foster Hewitt and Mario Lemieux ... His Grammy Award and various nominations hang from the wall. Impressive, to say the least ...Perhaps the most telling items are a pair of small trophies featuring depictions of airplanes. These were awarded to him by Air Canada and Canadian Airlines respectively, in honour of having travelled “One Million Miles” with each carrier. That’s reflective of a broadcast legend who has traveled across the country pretty much each and every weekend during the hockey season since 1973.

CROSS CHECKS

United Center. Best atmosphere for a national anthem in hockey. Next topic ... At one point, Kings’ goalie Jonathan Quick has allowed five goals on the previous eight he’d faced — three of the initial six shots against him in Game 7 Sunday, plus the final two in Game 6, a 4-3 Hawks victory ... This series has been Andrew Shaw’s coming-out party. If you hadn’t heard of him before the Western Conference final, you have now. Quick certainly has. Shaw has been banged up, but when he’s played, he has caused all sorts of chaos for the Kings goaltender by being in his face time and time again ... On the topic of anthems, it has been 20 years since Wayne Messmer, then the iconic long-time Hawks anthem singer, had a bullet rip into his throat during a robbery attempt in Chicago. Messmer, now the senior executive vice president of the Chicago Wolves, was saved by first responders with the Chicago Fire Dept. back on April 9, 1994.

LAST MINUTE OF PLAY

Cole’s mood likely is far better these days than that of Youppi, the fuzzy mascot of the Montreal Canadiens.

With the Canadiens having lost their Eastern Conference Final to Jimmy Fallon’s beloved New York Rangers, they were forced to honour their side of a bet to the late night talk show host.

Not only did the Habs official twitter account have to use an avatar of his choosing — in this case, a Henrik Lundqvist image — but Youppi also had to pose for photos in different locations around Montreal while wearing a Fallon No. 1 Rangers jersey.